Climate change has made extreme heat events in West Africa, like the recent heat wave, ten times more likely, exacerbating the heat index significantly.
The heat wave prompted additional hydration breaks during the Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament, highlighting the immediate impacts on daily activities.
Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and outdoor workers, face heightened risks due to inadequate access to cooling resources.
Key quote:
"Many, many people wouldn’t have been acclimatized to the heat."
— Wasiu Adeniyi Ibrahim, head of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s central forecast office
Why this matters:
This early heat wave is a clear signal of how climate change is not just a distant threat but a current reality affecting millions. The health implications are immediate and severe, with the most vulnerable in society bearing the brunt of these climate-induced extremes. Intense heat waves induced by climate change create favorable conditions for air pollution to worsen. Scientists say this isn’t likely to change unless action is taken.
Amid the ‘loss and damage’ debate at global climate talks, the study adds to evidence that less-developed countries suffer from warming that industrialized nations largely cause.
The world's population is projected to hit an estimated 8 billion people on Tuesday, according to a United Nations projection, with much of the growth coming from developing nations in Africa.
